Mariners place Gutierrez on disabled list; recall Ackley

Posted: June 27, 2013 - 12:12am

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEATTLE — Oft-injured Mariners center fielder Franklin Gutierrez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring Tuesday, two days after coming off the 60-day DL for the same thing.

Dustin Ackley was called up from Triple-A Tacoma as Gutierrez’s replacement.

The 30-year-old Gutierrez has played in just 18 games this season, hitting .267 with four doubles, five home runs and 11 RBIs. He had been on the disabled list from April 23-June 21. He came off Saturday and hit a home run in his first at-bat.

Gutierrez played in only 40 games last year and 92 in 2011 because of various injuries.

“I’m disappointed, like we all are,” manager Eric Wedge said of Gutierrez. “No one is more disappointed than he is. I’m sure the frustration is just off the charts for him.

“When he does play for us, we’re a better ballclub.”

Ackley, the second pick in the 2009 draft who was sent down to Tacoma on May 26, hit .365 with eight doubles, two home runs and 14 RBIs in 25 games. He’s been a second baseman most of his major league career, but also played the outfield at Tacoma.

“He has earned it,” Wedge said. “You look at his at-bats, his consistency. He has taken care of some things mentally and put them behind him.”

Ackley hit just .205 with four doubles, one home run and eight RBI in his previous 45 games this season with the big club.